DOCSLIB.ORG

The ART of DELIVERY Is a Compilation of Selected Extempore Remarks, and the first of a Trilogy, by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The ART of DELIVERY Is a Compilation of Selected Extempore Remarks, and the first of a Trilogy, by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Nigeria DICKS The ART of DELIVERY is a compilation of selected extempore remarks, and the first of a trilogy, by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. ON In this book, the reader will encounter the robustness of Governor Dickson's DICKSON remarks delivered extempore with striking ability to inspire and engage its audience in a manner that is most compelling. Governor Dickson is an orator of a different hue. He speaks authoritatively with penetrating intellectual depth typical of most great leaders in the world, both past and present. THE ART OF DELIVERY The road to restoration GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON A PROFILE Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State in Nigeria has, by his performance in office, underscored the critical role of leadership in strategic restructuring and effective governance. THE ART OF DELIVERY He has changed the face of development, sanitized the polity, and encouraged participatory governance. The emerging economic prosperity in Bayelsa is a product of vision and courage. Dickson, 48, is an exceptional leader whose foresight on the diversification of the state’s economy beyond oil and gas to focus more on tourism and agriculture holds great promise of economic boom. A lawyer, former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State and member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, where he served as the Chairman, House Committee on Justice. His star was further on the rise when he was elected governor of Bayelsa State by popular acclamation later in 2012. He has been an agent of positive change, challenged the status quo and re-invented the architecture of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson governance in a peaceful and resourceful environment. Governor of Bayelsa State DICKSON THE ART OF DELIVERY The road to restoration Compiled and Revised by: Daniel Iworiso­Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor Edited by: Sully Abu Dr. Jeanee Gibson ISBN: 978­978­938­000­8 © 2014 Henry Seriake Dickson No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system or transmied in any form or by any means without prior wrien permission from the publisher CONTENTS P11 ­ PROLOGUE ­ Address on his intention to run for the office of Governor of Bayelsa state P12 ­ INTENTION Text of the address delivered by Hon. Henry Seriake on his intention to run for the office of Governor of Bayelsa state. P24 ­ LOOKING FORWARD ­ Inaugural speech on the occasion of his swearing in as governor of Bayelsa state ­ Remarks on the occasion of a dinner held in his honour and for his deputy ­ Remarks on the occasion of the breaking of 3­day fast and prayer meeting for the restoration of Bayelsa state THE ART OF DELIVERY BY HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON 02 P44 ­ BUDGETS OF RESTORATION ­ 2013 Budget ­ Address at the presentation of the 2013 Appropriation Bill for the Governorʹs assent P59 ­ ACCOUNTABILITY: THE TRANSPARENCY BRIEFINGS ­ Transparency briefing for the month of January 2012 ­ Transparency briefing for the months of March and April 2012 ­ Transparency briefing for the month of May 2012 ­ Transparency briefing for the month of June 2012 ­ Transparency briefing for the month of July 2012 ­ Transparency briefing for the month of November 2012 ­ Transparency briefing for the months of February and March 2013 143 ­ AGENCIES SET UP TO DELIVER RESULTS ­ Inauguration of the board of the Bayelsa state construction and dredging company ­ Presentation of cheques for NECO and WAEC and inauguration of education inspection commission ­ Inauguration of the commiee on youth development and empowerment ­ Inauguration of the pensions and gratuity commiee ­ Inauguration of 12­member board of the Bayelsa state Agricultural Development Company Limited ­ Inauguration of the State Empowerment and Expenditure For Result Project (SEEFOR) commiee ­ Inauguration of the Bayelsa State Commiee on Entrepreneurial Capacity Development ­ Inauguration of the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University THE ART OF DELIVERY BY HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON 03 P143 ­ BOOSTING TOURISM · AMAA awards fund­raising dinner in Abuja · A speech at the 2013 speech edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Award P154 ­ IJAW RESTORATION ­ Inauguration of the newly elected Ijaw National Congress Executive Council ­ Remarks at the state banquet to mark Major Adaka Boro Day ­ Address on the occasion of the 2012 World Ijaw Day Celebration ­ Address at an interactive meeting with leaders of the Ijaw nation in the state ­ Address at the commissioning of Izon­Wari building in the state P176 ­ AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT ­ Address at the launch of the new transport scheme in the state ­ Address at a 3­day conference of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) ­ Address to Bayelsa state civil servants ­ Address at a retreat organised by government in conjunction with ASCON for permanent secretaries ­ Address at a meeting with PDP stakeholders at the partyʹs secretariat ­ Address at the presentation of free school uniforms and other materials ­ Address to the National Executive Commiee meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association P236 ­ HONOURING BAYELSAʹS BIRTH ­ Text of the radio broadcast to commemorate the 16th anniversary THE ART OF DELIVERY BY HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON 04 of the creation of Bayelsa state ­ Remarks at a special thanksgiving service at the King of Glory chapel in Government House ­ Remarks at the presentation of cheques to pensioners P256 ­ WALKING THE TALK ­ AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY: Signing the Bayelsa State Judiciary Autonomy Bill – ­ Remarks to the Universal Basic Education board and others ­ Remarks at the presentation of the N3 billion cheque to SETRACO for the completion of the Ogbia­Nembe road project ­ Remarks during a solidarity visit by Bayelsa state PDP delegation to the new PDP chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muʹazu ­ Remarks and answers to the mediaʹs questions on the local government election at Toru Orua, Sagbama local government area ­ Remarks shortly aer visiting accident victims ­ Remarks at the sending forth of the first batch of trainees to the Songhai farms in Benin Republic (Page 335) ­ Remarks during the courtesy visit by D.G. SMEDAN ­ Speech at the presentation of monthly stipends to the elderly under the Bayelsa State Welfare and Social Security Scheme THE ART OF DELIVERY BY HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON 05 PREFACE The challenges of leadership and governance as they relate to delivery on policies and programmes form the kernel of the book, Dickson: The Power of Delivery. It is a fascinating work which aempts to lay bare the daunting task of repositioning the development track in the state as well as the triumphs, chronicling the stewardship of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson as the Governor of Bagels State as evident in this compilation speeches delivered extempore by the man fondly referred to as the countryman governor. From the beginning to the end, the character and vision of the governor reflects sharply on the issues of development in the various sectors of the state economy. Understandably so because of the obvious hurry to develop the state and make impact on the lives of the people and indeed as a democratic imperative. The Power of Delivery is thus arranged in sequence to explain the raison detre for the various development initiatives executed by the government and the achievements recorded. Starting from the establishment of institutions and processes, particularly on the need for prudence and accountability, the book THE ART OF DELIVERY BY HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON 06 logically presents the way and manner developmental projects were initiated and consummated resulting in marked transformation by the state government within a short period of time. The declaration of emergency in education, for instance, was targeted at addressing the acute shortage in infrastructure and quality in the sector as a necessity in building relevant manpower for the development of the state. This was obviously in realisation that a proper education for the young people is arguably the most important ingredient in the development process. The proclamation of state of emergency in the educational sector was a fiing step by the Restoration Government to address the rot in the educational sector and as we have seen in the last three years, the transformation in the sector had been phenomenal. Additional incentives to boost educational development also had solid backing in the various scholarship awards up to PhD in highly rated institutions locally and abroad. Considering the pivotal role of education in human and societal advancement and in contrast to the abysmal situation inherited by the government in this critical sector, the steps taken by Dickson administration clearly stands out as a welcome development. We also follow through in The Power of Delivery to connect with the bright ideas behind the huge aention devoted to infrastructure provision by the Dickson Administration. The rationale being that development would be beer and faster with infrastructure in place particularly roads and bridges connecting the three senatorial districts of the state. Accordingly, the administration carried out the construction of a total of 350km roads and critical bridges from February 14th 2012 when the administration came on board and they are contributing to the growth of the state economy through inter­ linkages now facilitating easy movement of goods and persons from one location to the other in Bayelsa State. The essential value in The Power of Delivery on governmentʹs policies and programmes also received greater impetus and realism in the THE ART OF DELIVERY BY HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON 07 context of far­sighted development agenda when we take a deep look at the long­term implications of the diversification of the stateʹs economy, by emphasizing the development of tourism and agriculture as the economic future of the state. The understanding being that over­ reliance on oil as the economic mainstay in the state was not a realistic strategy to true development particularly in the face of dwindling revenue and other vagaries in both the international market and in the local condition.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The POWER of DELIVERY Is a Compilation of Selected Extempore Remarks, and the first of a Trilogy, by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Nigeria
    DICKS The POWER of DELIVERY is a compilation of selected extempore remarks, and the first of a trilogy, by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. ON In this book, the reader will encounter the robustness of Governor Dickson's DICKSON remarks delivered extempore with striking ability to inspire and engage its audience in a manner that is most compelling. Governor Dickson is an orator of a different hue. He speaks authoritatively with penetrating intellectual depth THE POWER OF typical of most great leaders in the world, both past and present. DELIVERY Restoration Leaps Forward GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON A PROFILE THE POWER OF DELIVERY Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State in Nigeria has, by his performance in office, underscored the critical role of leadership in strategic restructuring and effective governance. He has changed the face of development, sanitized the polity, and encouraged participatory governance. The emerging economic prosperity in Bayelsa is a product of vision and courage. Dickson, 48, is an exceptional leader whose foresight on the diversification of the state’s economy beyond oil and gas to focus more on tourism and agriculture holds great promise of economic boom. A lawyer, former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State and member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, where he served as the Chairman, House Committee on Justice. His star was further on the rise when he was elected governor of Bayelsa State by popular acclamation later in 2012. He has been an agent of positive change, challenged the status quo and re-invented the architecture of Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria's Constitution of 1999
    PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:42 constituteproject.org Nigeria's Constitution of 1999 This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:42 Table of contents Preamble . 5 Chapter I: General Provisions . 5 Part I: Federal Republic of Nigeria . 5 Part II: Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . 6 Chapter II: Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy . 13 Chapter III: Citizenship . 17 Chapter IV: Fundamental Rights . 20 Chapter V: The Legislature . 28 Part I: National Assembly . 28 A. Composition and Staff of National Assembly . 28 B. Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of National Assembly . 29 C. Qualifications for Membership of National Assembly and Right of Attendance . 32 D. Elections to National Assembly . 35 E. Powers and Control over Public Funds . 36 Part II: House of Assembly of a State . 40 A. Composition and Staff of House of Assembly . 40 B. Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of House of Assembly . 41 C. Qualification for Membership of House of Assembly and Right of Attendance . 43 D. Elections to a House of Assembly . 45 E. Powers and Control over Public Funds . 47 Chapter VI: The Executive . 50 Part I: Federal Executive . 50 A. The President of the Federation . 50 B. Establishment of Certain Federal Executive Bodies . 58 C. Public Revenue . 61 D. The Public Service of the Federation . 63 Part II: State Executive . 65 A. Governor of a State . 65 B. Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies .
    [Show full text]
  • Socio-Economic and Political Activities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State
    International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296 Socio-Economic and Political Activities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State Sigah .F. 1, Otoro P.2, Omovwohwovie E. E.3 1 , 2Department of Public Administration, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe,Bayelsa State 3Department of Fisheries Technology, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State Abstract: Southern Ijaw Local Government Area is the largest local government area in Bayelsa State, and it is in the Niger Delta region of the country. This Study highlighted the social, economic and political activities in the local government area as to have a clear understanding about the wellbeing and politics of the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State Nigeria. 1. Introduction term........local government can only be characterized in such a way that it can be recognized as such different times 3 Local Government is widely recognized, as a veritable and places’’ instrument for the transformation and the delivery of social services to the people. It is also recognized as being strategic Let us at this point cite a few definitions of local government in facilitating the extension of democracy to the local level by some scholars and authors. “Local government has been by increasing the opportunities for political participation by defined as the lowest unit of administration to whose laws the grassroots population. It is as well widely regarded as and regulation, the communities who live in a defined being well situated to perform the above functions due to the geographical area and with common social and political ties 4 various advantages which it has over the other tiers of are subject’’ government and their field agencies.
    [Show full text]
  • Wasted Billion Report
    Wasted Citizens Report on State and Local Government Budgets in the Niger Delta 2012 Billions Niger Delta Citizens and Budget Platform Wasted Billions Citizens Report on State and Local Government Budgets in the Niger Delta Niger Delta Citizens and Budget Platform Copyright 2013 Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) All rights reserved ISBN: 978-8068-73-6 Published by: Niger Delta Citizens and Budget Platform Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) 33, Oromineke Layout, D -Line Port Harcourt, Nigeria Tel/Fax +234 84 765 413 www.citizensbudget.org Design and Layout: Jittuleegraphix Cover Photo by: Ken Henshaw/Social Action Wasted Billions Table of Contents List of Figure v List of Abbreviations vi Acknowledgments viii Executive Summary 1 Recommendations 5 Method and Score 7 Background 8 Akwa Ibom State 17 Bayelsa State 26 Delta State 37 Edo State 47 Rivers State 57 About NDCBP 72 iv Wasted Billions List of Figures Figure 1 Recurrent and Capital expenditure budget shares in the Akwa Ibom 2012 budget Figure 2 Internally generated revenue in Akwa Ibom 2012 compared to total budget Figure 3 Allocations to different sectors in the Akwa Ibom 2012 Budget Figure 4 Allocation to Education in the Akwa Ibom 2012 budget Figure 5 Allocation to Health in the Akwa Ibom 2012 Budget Figure 6 Allocation to food sufficiency related programs in the Akwa Ibom 2012 Budget Figure 7 Bayesla state budget 2007-2012 Figure 8 Distribution of Bayelsa state 2012 revenue source Figure 9 Bayelsa state recurrent and capital expenditure budget
    [Show full text]
  • The 2015 Presidential Election and the Concession of Defeat by Goodluck Jonathan: a Recipe for the Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria Dr
    DOI: 10.21276/sjhss.2017.2.1.10 Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN 2415-6256 (Print) Scholars Middle East Publishers ISSN 2415-6248 (Online) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: http://scholarsmepub.com/ The 2015 Presidential Election and the Concession of Defeat by Goodluck Jonathan: A Recipe for the Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria Dr. Akaayar Felix Ahokegh1 1Department of History & International studies, Kogi State University, Anyigba. *Corresponding Author: Dr. Akaayar Felix Ahokegh Email: [email protected] Abstract: Nigeria’s federal system concentrates enormous political and economic powers in the centre. Thus, politics for the control of this very powerful centre have always been tense and often result to crises. This paper examines the political variables that accounted for power-shift, from the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples’ Democratic Party to Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress. The paper holds that Jonathan’s acceptance of defeat opens a new chapter in the political history of Nigeria, which invariably would translate to the consolidation of democracy in the country. As a mark of conclusion, the paper suggests the following palliatives: politicians should sustain the Goodluck Jonathan spirit of sportsmanship, demonetization of the polity and a redefinition of the nation’s federal system, to devolve more powers to the component parts. Keywords: Nigeria, federal system, economic powers INTRODUCTION fortunes and between the Niger Delta communities and Democratic governance is about election [1], successive governments for compensation due to the which everywhere in the world produces competition degradation of their environment caused by oil spillage for political offices.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy & Prac Brief 33.Indd
    The Commonwealth - Cog Photos 264 Creative Commons/Flickr - On 28 March 2015, Nigerians will cast their vote in a keenly contested general election, preparations for which have presented both challenges and opportunities. Policy & Practice Brief Knowledge for du rable peace Nigeria’s 2015 general elections: Challenges and opportunities Authors: J. Shola Omotola and Charles Nyuykonge PPB # 033 This Policy & Practice Brief forms part of ACCORD’s March knowledge production work to inform peacemaking, 2015 peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Executive summary Concerns about Nigeria’s ability to hold a peaceful general election in 2015 have characterised the work of governance, peace and security sector practitioners and policymakers for some time now. The prevailing discourse emanating from Nigerian and international actors alike predominantly focuses on the actions (and inaction) of major stakeholders, including Nigeria’s ruling and opposition political parties, mass media and civil society, and the international community. Nigeria’s upcoming polls are signifi cant, with the potential to make or mar the country’s democracy and threaten its peace and security and, by extension, the stability of the West African region and of the continent. The outcome of the election will largely depend on preparations and the administration of processes by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before, during and after the polls. This Policy & Practice Brief (PPB) primarily aims to explore Nigeria’s readiness for the election. It draws attention to challenges affecting planning in Nigeria and highlights opportunities that can be harnessed to ensure a free and fair election, with a result that is nationally accepted. The brief assesses the national, regional and international signifi cance of the polls.
    [Show full text]
  • Mid-Term Report of the Transformation Agenda
    MID-TERM REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA (MAY 2011 – MAY 2013) TAKING STOCK, MOVING FORWARD 1 LIST OF ACRONYMS AFCON - African Cup of Nations AFN - Armed Forces of Nigeria AG - Associated Gas AGRA - Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa AIS - Aeronautical Information Service AMCON - Asset Management Company of Nigeria APA - Action Push Agenda APC - Amoured Personnel Carriers ASI - All Share Index ASYCUDA - Automated SYstem for CUstoms Data ATA - Agricultural Transformation Agenda ATOs - Aviation Training Organizations AU - African Union AUMTCO - Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company b/d - barrels per day BASAs - Bilateral Air Services Agreements BDC - Bureaux de Change BDS - Business Development Services BoA - Bank of Agric BoI - Bank of Industry BPC - Business Plan Competition BPE - Bureau for Public Enterprises BPP - Bureau of Public Procurement BUDFOW - Business Development Fund for Women CAC - Corporate Affairs Commission CACS - Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme CAPAM - Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management CBN - Central Bank of Nigeria CCTV - Close Circuit Television CDM - Clean Development Mechanism CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women CEOs - Chief Executive Officers CERS - Coalition Emergency Response Subsystems CHEWs - Community Health Extension Workers CMAM - Community Management of Acute Malnutrition CME/HMF - Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Honourable Minister of Finance CoD - Community of Democracies COPE - Care of People CORS - Continuously Operating
    [Show full text]
  • Bayelsa State Government of Nigeria
    This document is important and should be read carefully. If you are in any doubt about its content or the action to take, kindly consult your Stockbroker, Accountant, Banker, Solicitor or any other professional adviser for guidance immediately.“FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING CERTAIN RISK FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SEE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 74-76” .INVESTMENT IN THE BOND IS STRICTLY FOR INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS. BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA Offer for Subscription N50 BILLION 13.75% FIXED RATE 7YEAR BOND ISSUE 2010/2017 Issue Price: N1,000 per unit Payable in full on Application Application list Opens: June 30, 2010 Application list Closes: June 30, 2010 Lead Issuing House Joint Issuing Houses: RC: 223042 RC: 286096 RC: 499243 RC: 125097 RC: 444999 This Prospectus and the Securities that it offers have been approved and registered by the Securities & Exchange Commission. It is a civil wrong and criminal offence under the Investments and Securities Act No. 29 of 2007 (“the Act”) to issue a Prospectus which contains false or misleading information. The clearance and registration of this Prospectus and the Securities which it offers does not relieve the parties from any liability arising under the Act for false and misleading statements contained herein or for any omission of a material fact. The registration of this Prospectus does not in any way whatsoever suggest that the Securities and Exchange Commission endorses or recommends the securities or assumes responsibility for the correctness of any statement
    [Show full text]
  • In the Court of Appeal Holden at Abuja
    IN THE COURT OF APPEAL HOLDEN AT ABUJA ELECTION PETITION NO.:… … … … … … … … … THE ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIG ERIA HELD ON THE 21ST OF APRIL, 2007 1. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, G CON 2. Senator Ben Obi PETITIONERS 3. Action Congress (AC) AND 1. Alhaji Um aru M usa Yar’Adua 2. Dr. G oodluck Jonathan 3. Peoples’ Dem ocratic Party (PDP) 4. Independent National Electoral Com m ission R 5. Professor M aurice M aduakolam Iw u (Chairm an, INEC) E 6. Chief Electoral Com m issioner 7. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Abia State S 8. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Adam aw a State P 9. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Anam bra State O 10. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Bauchi State 11. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Bayelsa State N 12. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Benue State D 13. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Borno State 14. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Cross River State E 15. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Delta State N 16. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Ebonyi State T 17. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Edo State 18. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Ekiti State S 19. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Enugu State 20. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of G om be State 21. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Im o State 22. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Jigaw a State 23. Resident Electoral Com m issioner of Kaduna State 24.
    [Show full text]
  • Conflict Incident Monthly Tracker
    Conflict Incident Monthly Tracker Bayelsa State: February -M a rch 2 01 8 B a ck gro und women and girls. Recent Incidents or Communal/Political Tensions: In February, This monthly tracker is designed to update one was reportedly killed and several others Issues, March 2018 Peace Agents on patterns of conflict risk and injured during a clash among youths Incidents reported during the month mainly violence, as identified by the Integrated belonging to two different political parties in related to criminality and cult violence. Peace and Development Unit (IPDU) early Okpoama community, Brass LGA. Piracy: Pirates reportedly attacked a warning system, and to seek feedback for community, killed two and injured three response to mitigate areas of conflict. Militancy: In January, four soldiers and 14 militants were reportedly killed during a others in Ayama community, Ogbia LGA. The military operation against militants in pirates abducted a woman and made away Patterns and Trends Ekeremor LGA. The operation was initiated with over 10 speedboats. Separately, pirates D ec 2 01 7 -Fe b 20 1 8 in reaction to the killing of a soldier by reportedly attacked a passenger boat and militants in the area. A militant leader was shot a man and a pregnant woman in According to Peace Map data (see Figure 1), arrested during the military operation and Koluama community, Southern Ijaw LGA. there was a decrease in violent fatalities in later died during a gun battle between Militancy: A prominent militant who the state in February 2018. Reported soldiers and his gang members. doubles as a kidnapper was reportedly killed incidents during this period included Cult Violence: In December, a 30-year old by operatives of the Inspector General of criminality, cult violence, and communal/ man was reportedly shot dead by cultists in Police’s Intelligence Response Team in political tensions.
    [Show full text]
  • Petro-Violence and the Geography of Conflict in Nigeria's
    Spaces of Insurgency: Petro-Violence and the Geography of Conflict in Nigeria’s Niger Delta By Elias Edise Courson A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Michael J. Watts, Chair Professor Ugo G. Nwokeji Professor Jake G. Kosek Spring 2016 Spaces of Insurgency: Petro-Violence and the Geography of Conflict in Nigeria’s Niger Delta © 2016 Elias Edise Courson Abstract Spaces of Insurgency: Petro-Violence and the Geography of Conflict in Nigeria’s Niger Delta by Elias Edise Courson Doctor of Philosophy in Geography University of California, Berkeley Professor Michael J. Watts, Chair This work challenges the widely held controversial “greed and grievance” (resource curse) narrative by drawing critical insights about conflicts in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has attracted substantial scholarly attention in view of the paradox of poverty and violence amidst abundant natural resources. This discourse suggests that persistent resource- induced conflicts in the region derive from either greed or grievance. Instead, the present work draws inspiration from the political geography of the Niger Delta, and puts the physical area at the center of its analysis. The understanding that the past and present history of a people is etched in their socio-political geography inspires this focus. Whereas existing literatures engages with the Niger Delta as a monolithic domain, my study takes a more nuanced approach, which recognizes a multiplicity of layers mostly defined by socio-geographical peculiarities of different parts of the region and specificity of conflicts its people experience.
    [Show full text]
  • The Niger Delta: 'Petro Violence'
    Review of African Political Economy No.101:401-424 © ROAPE Publications Ltd., 2004 The Niger Delta: ‘Petro Violence’ and ‘Partnership Development’1 Anna Zalik This article examines the globalisation of corporate strategic philanthropy as played out in the Niger Delta of Nigeria – a region that has been marked by a history of state and petroleum industry collusion both in social repression and environmental destruction. Social control of the Delta has rested largely on what Watts (2001) conceptualises as ‘petro violence’, the joint security imposed by the Nigerian military and oil companies to police their installations and the environment of social unrest that surrounds petroleum extraction. In examining the extractive industry’s response to social dislocation, this study focuses on the adoption of a model of partnership and participatory development by Shell Nigeria. The implementation of the social stabilisation project promoted by Shell’s partnership model and facilitated by international donors and state institutions (understood in corporate strategy as a ‘leveraged buy in’), exemplifies the reciprocal formation of the corporate social governance projects and development assistance in the Nigerian context. Yet this new model’s attempt to achieve social consent is partially contradicted by the corporate requirement of profit maximisation served by rising prices associated with perceived and real threats to oil supplies. The oil companies’ pursuit of a social ‘licence to operate’ thus rests uneasily with an industry whose underlying logic profits from the upward movement of oil prices, dependent on instability and violence. They wanted me to implement the (major community project) through the CD (community development) model so that I would be responsible for 40 million Naira.
    [Show full text]